Media enrichment system and method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are aspects associated with contextual, or related, media enrichment presentation item of a media object served via the internet. A request to annotate a media object in connection with the media object&#39;s presentation is received, and a media object identifier and a profile identifier are obtained. The media object&#39;s information is retrieved using the media object identifier, and a profile is retrieved using the profile identifier. A response including one or more references to one or more media enrichment presentation items is transmitted, each reference to a media enrichment presentation item comprising information for use in retrieving the media enrichment presentation item for presentation in connection with presentation of the media object.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to enriching presentation of a mediaobject, and more specifically to an enriched presentation of the mediaobject with information, e.g., content or other information or data,which can be presented in the form of advertisements related toentities, events, products, etc. appearing in the media object. The sameframework can be used to provide additional factual information aboutthe entities, topics, events, etc., providing a presentation blendingadvertising with contextual, topical and/or factual information relatedto the media object and/or the advertising in connection with the mediaobject presentation.

BACKGROUND

The web has become a vast store of media objects, including images,video and/or audio, slideshows, etc., and new media objects are steadilybeing added. Media objects can be downloaded to a computing device viathe web and a browser or other application executing on the device.Typically, the media object contains one or more objects or items andhas context, which can be determined from the media object contentand/or the content, e.g., web page content, served with the mediaobject.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to address failings in the art and to richmedia presentation of media objects with content or other information,such as advertisements, product offers, factual and/or contextualinformation related to the media objects. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, information specific to a media object, in the form ofadvertisements, product offers, etc., that are related to entities,events, products, etc. appearing in the media object is provided. Inaccordance with one or more embodiments, the enrichment comprises apresentation blending advertisements and/or product offers with topicalinformation, such as factual and/or contextual information. Inaccordance with one or more embodiments, the enrichment information isdetermined from information collected using any of one or morecollection sources and/or tools, such as without limitation, paid humaneditors, crowd sourcing, computer vision automatic technology, or somecombination of collection sources and/or tools.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, rich presentation of a mediaobject is provided, and more specifically an enriched presentation ofthe media object with information, e.g., content or other information ordata, which can be presented in the form of advertisements related toentities, events, products, etc. appearing in the media object isprovided. The same framework can be used to provide additional factualinformation about the entities, topics, events, etc., providing apresentation blending advertising with contextual, topical and/orfactual information related to the media object and/or the advertisingin connection with the media object presentation.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method is providedcomprising transmitting via at least one processing unit, embedded codein connection with a media object to be presented in connection with aweb page, the embedded code to generate a request to enrich the mediaobject in connection with the media object's presentation; receiving,via the at least one processing unit, the request to enrich the mediaobject's presentation, the request comprising a media object identifierand a profile identifier; retrieving, via the at least one processingunit, the media object's information using the media object identifier;retrieving, via the at least one processing unit and from a profilestore, a profile using the profile identifier; and transmitting, via atleast one processing unit, a response to the request, the responseincluding one or more references to one or more media enrichmentpresentation items, the one or more media enrichment presentation itemscomprising at least one advertisement, each reference to a mediaenrichment presentation item comprising information for use inretrieving the media enrichment presentation item for presentation inconnection with the media object's presentation, the profile specifyinga manner of presentation for each of the one or more media enrichmentpresentation items.

In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a system isprovided, which comprises at least one computing device comprising oneor more processors to execute and memory to store instructions totransmit embedded code in connection with a media object to be presentedin connection with a web page, the embedded code to generate a requestto enrich the media object's presentation; receive the request toannotate the media object, the request comprising a media objectidentifier and a profile identifier; retrieve the media object'sinformation using the media object identifier; retrieve, from a profilestore, a profile using the profile identifier; and transmit a responseto the request, the response including one or more references to one ormore media enrichment presentation items, the one or more mediaenrichment presentation items comprising an advertisement, eachreference to a media enrichment presentation item comprising informationfor use in retrieving the media enrichment presentation item forpresentation in connection with the media object's presentation, theprofile specifying a manner of presentation for each of the one or moremedia enrichment presentation items.

In accordance with another aspect described in connection with one ormore embodiments, a computer readable non-transitory storage medium fortangibly storing thereon computer readable instructions is provided, thecomputer readable instructions when executed cause at least oneprocessor to transmit embedded code in connection with a media object tobe presented in connection with a web page, the embedded code togenerate a request to enrich the media object's presentation; receivethe request to enrich the media object's presentation, the requestcomprising a media object identifier and a profile identifier; retrievethe media object's information using the media object identifier;retrieve, from a profile store, a profile using the profile identifier;and transmit a response to the request, the response including one ormore references to one or more media enrichment presentation items, theone or more media enrichment presentation items comprising at least oneadvertisement, each reference to a media enrichment presentation itemcomprising information for use in retrieving the media enrichmentpresentation item for presentation in connection with the media object'spresentation, the profile specifying a manner of presentation for eachof the one or more media enrichment presentation items.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system is provided thatcomprises one or more computing devices configured to providefunctionality in accordance with such embodiments. In accordance withone or more embodiments, functionality is embodied in steps of a methodperformed by at least one computing device. In accordance with one ormore embodiments, program code to implement functionality in accordancewith one or more such embodiments is embodied in, by and/or on acomputer-readable medium.

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent with reference to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 provides an overview illustrating in-media enrichment componentsin accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 provides an overview of media object registration in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3, which comprises FIGS. 3A and 3B, provides a media object mediaenrichment presentation item process flow in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 4, which comprises FIGS. 4A and 4B, provides an exemplary mediaobject enrichment process flow in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5-9 provides examples of a media object enrichment user interfacefor use in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10, which comprises FIGS. 10A-10C, provides examples of informationthat can be sent in connection with a logging request in accordance withone or more embodiments.

FIGS. 11-19 provide examples of advertisement and product offer mediaenrichment presentation items in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates some components that can be used in connection withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an internalarchitecture of a computing device in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the present disclosure includes an in-media media enrichmentpresentation item system, method and architecture. Certain embodimentsof the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to theaforementioned figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likecomponents.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more contextual, orrelated, media enrichment presentation items of a media object areserved via the internet. In accordance with one or more suchembodiments, a request is received to annotate a media object inconnection with the media object's presentation, and a media objectidentifier and profile identifier are obtained. The media object'sinformation is retrieved using the media object identifier, and aprofile is retrieved using the profile identifier. A response includingone or more references to one or more media enrichment presentationitems is transmitted, each reference to a media enrichment presentationitem comprising information for use in retrieving the media enrichmentpresentation item for presentation in connection with presentation ofthe media object.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, in-media enrichment (IME) isa form of contextual, or related, presentation of a media object withone or more media enrichment presentation items, e.g., content or otherinformation or data, that annotates the presentation of a media objectserved via the internet. A media enrichment presentation item can beserved in connection with the media object. By way of some non-limitingexamples, a media enrichment presentation item can be a product offer,an advertisement and/or contextual information. In accordance with oneor more embodiments, contextual information is displayed in aninformation box, and provides information related to the media object,e.g., information about an entity, item, etc. found in the media object.In-media enrichment can use data about a media object, e.g., from themedia object's metadata and/or tags, and/or content, e.g., the contentof the media object and/or web page with which the media object may beserved, to match the media object with contextually-relevant mediaenrichment presentation items. Advertising topics and/or categoriesassociated with a media object can be used to identify one or moredisplay ads to annotate the media object. Additionally, the media objectand associated metadata can be analyzed to identify items, e.g.,products, celebrities, brands and events, found in, or associated with,the media objects.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a media object can includean image, video, slideshow, multimedia, etc. A slideshow can comprise aset of related or unrelated images and/or video. A media object cancomprise multiple images, videos and/or slideshows.

A media object can be from any source, including without limitationmedia objects uploaded by users using a media object upload service,such as without limitation Flickr™. A new media object can be enrichedusing an enrichment process in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure, which identifies advertising topics and/orcategories, products, information items that can be used to identify oneor more media enrichment presentation items to be served in connectionwith new media object. The enrichment process can comprise an automatedenrichment, which uses one or more computing devices executing one ormore enrichment processes to retrieve information about the media objectand analyze the media object content to identify the advertising topicsand/or categories, products and/or information items. The enrichment cancomprise an enrichment and editorial tool, which is provided by one ormore computing devices and allows human editors to identify theadvertising topics and/or categories, products and/or information items.

In-Media Enrichment

FIG. 1 provides an overview illustrating IME components in accordancewith one or more embodiments. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, one or more media enrichment presentation items can beserved to a client, or user, computer in response to an IME request 130.An IME request 130 is transmitted from an IME client 102 applicationexecuting at the user computer. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, the IME client 102 executes with a browser 104 at the usercomputer. By way of a non-limiting example, the IME client 102 comprisescode that is received and executed with the browser 104 in connectionwith a transmission 122 received at the user computer and directed tothe browser 102. The transmission 122 can comprise a web page, e.g.,Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) page, or media object that is receivedand processed via the browser 104. By way of a non-limiting example, theIME client 102 can comprise code, e.g., JavaScript™ or other applet, orbe included in a Flash™ file of the media object where the code isattached to the media object.

The request 130 might be sent by the IME client 102 at any time. By wayof some non-limiting examples, the IME client 102 might transmit therequest 130 before receiving user input indicative of the user's desireto access the media object, or the IME client 102 might transmit therequest 130 in response to receiving the user input. The request 130 canbe made in connection with serving a media object, e.g., in connectionwith a requested media object or a media object that has beentransmitted to the client, or at a time that the user views the mediaobject, e.g., play of a video media object commences or is about tocommence.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the request 130 comprises amedia object identifier (ID), a profile identifier (ID), and informationabout the user information 120, such as demographics, location, propertyetc. information. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the userinformation 120 can be in the form of a user ID, which can be used toretrieve additional user information, such as the demographics, webhistory, purchasing history, income, social networking information, suchas social, work and/or familial relationships, location, and etc. userinformation. In any case, some or all of the user information 120 can beretrieved from the user computer, e.g., from a cookie or other filestored at the user computer. The user information can be used, inaccordance with one or more embodiments, in identifying the one or moremedia enrichment presentation items for a media object.

The IME request 130 is received by an IME server 106. The IME server 106can comprise a server computer executing IME server functionalitydescribed herein. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the IMEserver 106 retrieves information from a media repository 108 for use inretrieving one or more media enrichment presentation items. The IMEserver 106 uses the media object ID received with the request 130 toretrieve the information from the media repository 108. The informationretrieved from the media repository 108 can comprise informationassociated with the media object, e.g., one or more categories,advertising topics, displayed topics, product offers and/or informationidentifying items, or search terms, for contextual information boxes.

The retrieved category and/or topic information can be used by the IMEserver 106 to identify one or more advertisements from display ad(s)source(s) 114, via request 142. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, advertisers provide display ads and specify the manner inwhich each display ad is to be used, e.g., in connection with one ormore topics and/or categories, and/or the manner in which the display adis to be presented to the user. By way of a non-limiting example,display advertisements, or ads, can be provided by a display advertisingsource such as, for example and without limitation, Advertising PlatformTechnology (APT). Display ads can be fetched from an advertising source,e.g., an advertising source's ad server.

The IME server 106 can use the product information retrieved from themedia repository 108 to retrieve one or more product offers from productoffer(s) source(s) 112, via request 142. The product offers cancorrespond to items in the media object that can be offered for sale.Product offers can be retrieved, for example and without limitation, inconnection with sellers that have online shops, and product offers canbe aggregated into a shopping feed, such as the aggregated shopping feedfrom Yahoo!™ Shopping.

The IME server 106 retrieves profile information from a profile datastore 110, via request 138, using the profile ID received with request130. A profile contains information defining at least one experience.Each experience identifies each type of media enrichment presentationitem that is to be presented in connection with the media object, thenumber of each type of media enrichment presentation item to be usedwith the media object, and the manner in which each media enrichmentpresentation item is to be presented to the user via browser 104, forexample. The experience can include information defining such things as,without limitation, where each media enrichment presentation item is tobe positioned relative to the media object, how long the mediaenrichment presentation item is to be presented, the type of userinteraction including the type of user input expected from the user,etc. Where the media object is an image, such as a single image, a framefrom a video or a slide from a slide show, the profile might containinformation that indicates that the image is to be grayed out while themedia enrichment presentation item is displayed, and that the user canmove to the next media enrichment presentation item with a mouse overthe media enrichment presentation item, or the profile information mightindicate the length of time that a media enrichment presentation item isto be presented and that the next media enrichment presentation item isto be displayed automatically after the time has expired.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, in response 132 to the IMEclient request 130, the IME server 106 serves one or more mediaenrichment presentation items to the IME client 102 and/or browser 104.By way of a non-limiting example, the IME server 106 can return a link,e.g., a universal resource locator (URL) for each media enrichmentpresentation item, which the browser 104 and/or IME client 102 uses torequest the media enrichment presentation item that is presented to theuser in accordance with the experience defined by the profile associatedwith the profile ID provided in request 130. In an alternate embodiment,in response 132 to the IME client request 130, the IME server 106retrieves the topics and category information from the media repository108, transmits the retrieved information to the IME client 102, and theIME client 102 communicates with the display ad source(s) 114 to fetchthe display ads in accordance with the profile associated with theprofile ID. In such a case, the IME server 106 can be bypassed by theIME client 102 to communicate directly with source(s) 114. In yetanother alternate embodiment, the IME server 106 can communicate productoffer and contextual information to the IME client 102, so that the IMEclient 102 can bypass the IME server 106 to communicate directly tofetch product offers from the product offer source(s) 112 and thecontextual information from the information source(s) 116 in accordancewith the profile associated with the profile ID.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the IME server performs requests 138,142, 146 and 150 and receives responses 140, 144, 148 and 152 togenerate response 132 after receiving request 130. In accordance withone or more embodiments, response 132 can be pre-packaged or predefinedfor a given media object, In accordance with such embodiments, requests138, 142, 146 and 150 can be performed prior to receiving request 130,and some or all of response 132 can be stored, e.g., stored in mediarepository 108, In accordance with such embodiments, the media object IDreceived in connection with request 130 from the IME client 102 can beused to retrieve the media object's pre-packaged response, which caninclude links to one or more media enrichment presentation itemsassociated with the media object ID.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, events are logged in log(s)118, and information that is logged can be used for monetization and/orsystem improvement purposes. An event 154 can comprise some type of userinteraction with a media enrichment presentation item and/or the mediaobject. Information about an event 154 is received from the IME client102 by the IME server 106, which logs the event 154 in log(s) 118. Byway of one non-limiting example, where the user clicks on a mediaenrichment presentation item, information about the event 154 istransmitted by the IME client 102 and received by the IME server 106,which logs information about the user click in log(s) 118. By way ofsome further non-limiting examples, the logged information might includethe time of the event as well as information about the user, e.g., userID or other user information, information about the media object, suchas the media object ID, the profile ID, and/or the media enrichmentpresentation item that the user clicked on. By way of anothernon-limiting example, an event 154 can comprise the serving and/orpresentation of a media enrichment presentation item, and theinformation can comprise information about the serving and/orpresentation of the media enrichment presentation item, includingwithout limitation a media enrichment presentation item ID, time of theserving and/or presentation, profile ID, user ID, etc. As yet anothernon-limiting example, the request 130 received by the IME server 106from the IME client 102 can constitute an event, and information aboutthe event, the user ID, time, profile ID, etc. can be stored in log(s)110.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the log(s) 118 can includeinformation about each user action, examples of such action includewithout limitation: a media object request, image activation by theuser, media enrichment presentation item activation and/or deactivationby the user, ad click and user, mouse over media object. Informationthat is logged can include, without limitation, a timestamp of the useraction, and impression ID, which may be an identifier that uniquelyidentifies the request received from the IME client 102, a campaign ID,which may be the profile ID, the media object ID, which may be a mediafingerprint, the media object's URL, a package ID, which identifies themedia enrichment presentation items for the media object and/or therequest received from the IME client 102, the action, or actions, takenby the user, and/or mouse tracking information.

A media enrichment presentation item can be positioned over a mediaobject, and a media enrichment presentation item type identifies theportion of the media object to which the media enrichment presentationitem is associated. A point-type media enrichment presentation item is atype of media enrichment presentation item that is associated with aparticular point in the media object. A box-type media enrichmentpresentation item is a type of media enrichment presentation item thatis associated with an area in the media object. A global mediaenrichment presentation item is a type of media enrichment presentationitem that is defined over the media object as a whole. Media enrichmentpresentation items can be extended to the video domain by, e.g., addingone or more timelines to the video for which the media enrichmentpresentation item is valid. By way of some non-limiting examples, amedia enrichment presentation item of an image can be product mediaenrichment presentation item, which might be a point-type mediaenrichment presentation item, contextual search terms can be associatedwith the image and can be used to identify a media enrichmentpresentation item, which might be a point-type or global-type mediaenrichment presentation item, celebrity recognition in connection withthe image might indicate a media enrichment presentation item, whichmight be a box-type media enrichment presentation item, brand detectionin connection with the image might indicate a media enrichmentpresentation item, which might be a box-type or a global-type mediaenrichment presentation item, and/or an event associated with the image,such as a concert, sporting event, or other type of gathering, abroadcast event, media event, etc., which might be a global-type mediaenrichment presentation item. As further non-limiting examples, a mediaenrichment presentation item of a video might be a product mediaenrichment presentation item, which might be a time-based point-typemedia enrichment presentation item, contextual search terms can be usedto identify a media enrichment presentation item that might be atime-based point-type or global-type media enrichment presentation item,a media enrichment presentation item based on celebrity recognitionmight be a time-based box-type or global-type media enrichmentpresentation item, a media enrichment presentation item indicated bybrand detection might be a time-based box-type or global-type mediaenrichment presentation item, and/or a media enrichment presentationitem indicated by an event might be a global-type media enrichmentpresentation item, which might optionally be time-based.

FIG. 3, which comprises FIGS. 3A and 3B, provides a media object mediaenrichment presentation item process flow in accordance with one or moreembodiments. The process can be performed via IME server 106, forexample. With reference to FIG. 3A, processing starts and proceeds, atstep 302, to send embedded code in connection with the media object to auser computing device, e.g., a computing device executing browser 104.The code can be embedded in the web page. Alternatively, the code can beembedded in the media object. At step 304, a request identifying a mediaobject, a profile and a user is received. By way of a non-limitingexample, the request can be received by the IME server 106 from IMEclient 102 and can include a media object ID, a profile ID and a userID, or other information that identifies the media object, the profileand the user. At step 306, the media repository 108 is examined, orqueried, using the media object ID, to locate the media object'sinformation in the media repository 108. A determination is made, atstep 308, whether or not the media object's information was found in themedia repository 108. If the media object's information was not found inthe media repository 108, processing continues at step 310 to perform,or caused to be performed, media object enrichment. As is discussed inmore detail below, the media object enrichment, which can be performedvia media queue processing module 202 and optionally editorialenrichment and validation tool 206 (both of FIG. 2 discussed below), isperformed to obtain the information for annotating the media object, andprocessing continues at step 312. If the media object's information wasfound in the media repository 108, processing continues at step 312.

At step 312, a profile is retrieved using the profile ID identified bythe request received at step 304. At step 316 of FIG. 3B, adetermination is made whether or not one or more ads are indicated bythe profile retrieved at step 312. If so, processing continues, at step318, to identify the one or more ads in accordance with the profile andusing information from the media repository 108. The information usedfrom the media repository 108 can include information identifying anadvertising category, the property or website hosting the media object,as well as any other information to identify the one or moreadvertisements. Processing continues at step 320. If it is determined atstep 316, from an examination of the profile, that no advertisements areto be used with the media object, processing continues at step 320.

At step 320, a determination is made whether or not one or more productoffers are indicated by the profile retrieved at step 312. If so,processing continues at step 322 to identify the one or more productoffers in accordance with the retrieved profile and using informationfrom the media repository 108. The information used from the mediarepository 108 can include information identifying products, and/or thespecific product offers, to annotate the media object. Processingcontinues at step 324. If it is determined at step 320 that the profiledoes not indicate that any product offers are to be used, processingcontinues at step 324.

At step 324, determination is made whether or not the profile indicatesone or more contextual informational items, e.g., items for whichcontextual information, such as information retrieved via a web search,is to be presented, e.g., displayed, as a media enrichment presentationitem in connection with the media object. If so, processing continues atstep 326 to identify the one or more informational items in accordancewith the profile and using information from the media repository 108.The information used from the media repository 108 can includeinformation identifying the items, e.g., brands, logos, people,entities, etc., for which the contextual information is to be presented,and/or search terms to be used to retrieve the contextual information,via a web search. Processing continues at step 328. If it is determinedat step 324 that no informational items are indicated by the profile,processing continues at step 328. At step 328, a response is transmittedwith links to any ads, product offers and informational items inaccordance with the profile.

MEDIA OBJECT ENRICHMENT REGISTRATION

Where the media object ID received in connection with the request 130 isnot found in the media repository 108, the media object can beregistered in the media repository 108, such that the information foruse in enriching the media object is available. FIG. 2 provides anoverview of media object registration in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. As discussed above, the request130 is received by the IME server 106 from the IME client 102, and themedia object ID is used in request 134 to media repository 108 toretrieve the media object information associated with the media objectID. Response 136 comprises an error, or exception, indicating that themedia object ID does not exist in the media repository 108. Informationabout the exception is logged as an event in log(s) 118, and anenrichment mechanism is launched to generate the information for themedia object identified by the media object ID from request 130.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the media object'senrichment comprises identifying the information to be used to identifyone or more media enrichment presentation items for the media object.Components 202, 204 and 206, which can be executed on the same oranother server computer as the IME server 106, can be used to performsome or all of the enrichment mechanism. IME server 106 makes a request230 of media queue processing module 202. The request 230 can includethe media object, or a link to the media object, and the media object IDprovided with request 130.

Where a duplicate or near duplicate of the media object exists, theduplicate or near duplicate can be used in place of the requested mediaobject, thereby avoiding the enrichment process. A deduplicationmechanism is invoked by module 202 to determine whether or not therequested media object is a duplicate, or near duplicate, of anothermedia object identified in the media repository. If an existing mediaobject is determined to be a duplicate or a near duplicate of the mediaobject identified by request 130, the requested media object and theidentified media object are associated in the media repository, and theidentified media object is used for responding to the IME client request130, as discussed above. Response 240 can notify IME server 106 that aduplicate or near duplicate media object was found, and IME server canproceed by using the existing media object's media object ID or theassociation between the duplicate media objects to proceed as discussedhereinabove.

If a duplicate or near duplicate media object is not identified, module202 proceeds with enrichment in connection with the requested mediaobject. The requested media object metadata is obtained, e.g., from themedia object source, such as Reuters, Getty, etc. The metadata caninclude, without limitation, title, description, category, etc. Aclassifier uses the metadata information to recommend at least onecategory and/or topic to be used in identifying one or moreadvertisements. Module 202 can invoke a visual analyzer to identifyobjects/items in connection with and/or contained in the media object,e.g., such items can include one or more instances of a brand or logo,person, object, product, etc., and to identify a region of the mediaobject to be associated with each item. As discussed herein, the regionmight be a point, a box, or the entire image. The information generatedby the classifier and the visual analyzer are stored in the mediarepository 108 for the requested media object, which is identified byits media object ID in the media repository 108. In addition to or as asubstitute for the computer-generated enrichment information, enrichmentcan use other sources of enrichment information, such as crowd sourcing,the owner/provider of the media object and/or one or more human editors.Crowd sourcing can be used to obtain input from a number of users, e.g.,using crowd sourcing to obtain input from a number of users identifyingitems or objects found in or otherwise associated with the media object.A crowd sourcing internet marketplace, such as Amazon Mechanical Turk,that provides a networking marketplace for requesters to request one ormore performers to perform identified tasks, such as identifying mediaobject metadata, objects or items from the media object, etc. Theoriginator and/or provider of the media object can also be used forinput identifying metadata and/or object/ items in connection with themedia object.

Another tool that can be used in accordance with one or more embodimentsis editorial enrichment and validation tool 206, which provides a userinterface (UI) for use by one or more human editors. Module 202 can beused to place an entry in editorial queue 204 for each media object thatis to be viewed by one or more human editors. The entries in queue 204can be prioritized, so that priority entries are handled first by thehuman editors. By way of a non-limiting example, the entries can beprioritized based on a prediction of the number of views that each mediaobject is likely to have, which might be determined based on the website, or web page, with which the media object is to be served, e.g.,based on the popularity of the web page/site, a prediction of the numberof views the media object is likely to have, etc.

Editorial enrichment and validation tool 206 provides a user interfacefor users, referred to as human editors, 208. The user interface allowsa human editor 208 to view the media object, to validate thecomputer-generated information, e.g., advertising topics and/orcategories, detected objects, etc., generated via module 202.Additionally, the user interface can be used by a human editor toidentify advertising topics and/or categories, objects and/or contextualinformation associated with the media object. The information about themedia object that is received via module 202 and the input from humaneditors, crowd sourcing, the owner/provider of the media object and/orthe computer-generated enrichment information is stored in mediarepository 108.

FIG. 4, which comprises FIGS. 4A and 4B, provides an exemplary mediaobject enrichment process flow in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. The process can be performed viamedia queue processing module 202, for example. Processing starts andproceeds to step 402 to receive the media object enrichment request,e.g., from the IME server 106. A deduplication process is invoked, atstep 404, to locate a duplicate or near duplicate of the media objectidentified in the request received at step 304 of FIG. 3A. Adetermination is made at step 406 whether or not a media object exists,for which information is identified in the media repository 108, that isa duplicate or near duplicate of the media object identified in therequest received at step 304. If so, processing continues at step 408 toreturn the media object ID for the duplicate or near duplicate mediaobject found in the media repository 108, and processing ends.

If it is determined, at step 406, that there is no duplicate or nearduplicate of the media object identified in the request received at step304, the media object identified in the request is a new media object,e.g., a media object new to the system or newly uploaded to the web orother network by a user, and processing continues to 410 to obtainmetadata for the new media object. The metadata can be obtained from thesource of the media object or other metadata repository. The metadatacan comprise, for example, title, description, category, etc. At step412, advertising categories are identified for the new media objectusing the obtained metadata. The advertising categories can be obtainedor identified from an advertising classifier using the title,description, category and/or other metadata information obtained at step410.

At step 414 of FIG. 4B, visual analysis is performed on the media objectcontent to identify items contained in the media object content, e.g.,logo, such as a brand or manufacturer's logo, people, object, product,etc. The visual analysis can be performed using a computer vision, ormachine vision, tool, which may extract information from the mediaobject, including its visual and/or audio content, and analyze theextracted information to identify one or more object or items inconnection with the media object, e.g., identify one or more objectsdepicted in the media object content. At step 416, the informationcollected from steps 410, 412 and 414 is fed to the media repository 108for storage. At step 418, a determination is made whether or not themedia object is to be added to the editorial queue for review by a humaneditor. In accordance with one or more embodiments, any media object notfound in the media repository 108, can be added to the editorial queue204. Alternatively, a decision to add a media object to the editorialqueue 204 can be based on such things as the number of media objects inthe queue 204, the availability of human editors, and/or a measure, ormeasure, of the media object's priority relative to other media objectsthat are to be enriched, e.g., the media objects in editorial queue 204as well as other new media objects. It should be apparent that any otherfactor, or factors, can be considered at step 418. In accordance withone or more embodiments, the media object's priority determines thelocation of the media object in the queue relative to other mediaobjects in the queue. By way of a non-limiting example, the media objectis placed in the queue in a position, e.g., above, other media objectsof lower priority, so that the higher-priority media object is processedbefore the lower-priority media objects. If the media object is added tothe editorial queue, the media object can be reviewed and by one or morehuman editors 208 using editorial enrichment and validation tool 206,for example. Examples of a user interface that can be provided by tool206 for use by the human editors 206 are discussed below.

A media object, or media objects, added to the editorial queue 204 canbe reviewed and enriched, in accordance with one or more embodiments, byhuman editors 208 using a user interface 500 of FIG. 5. The userinterface 500 includes a portion, or region, 502, which displays thumbnail images, e.g., 504A-504F, associated with one or more media objects.The human editor 208 can scroll through the thumbnail images usingcontrols 506A and 506B. The editor 208, or user, can select a mediaobject that has an entry in the editorial queue by selecting a thumbnailimage associated with the media object from portion 502, e.g., using apointing device such as a mouse or cursor controls. In the example shownin FIG. 5, thumbnail image 504C is selected. In the example, theappearance of the selected thumbnail image is different from the otherthumbnail images shown, e.g., the bottom edge has a pointer pointing inthe direction of portions 508 and 510 of user interface 500.

Portion 502 can include one or more images associated with a mediaobject. By way of one non-limiting example, where a media object is avideo or slideshow, portion 502 can include one or more frame images orslide images in connection with the media object.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the dashed lines are used to identifyportions of the user interface, and may or may not appear in the userinterface. It should be apparent that the size and/or location of aportion, region or area shown in the example is illustrative and thatportions 502, 508 and 510 may located elsewhere and may have a differentappearance without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Portion 510 displays a media object's image corresponding to theselected thumbnail image 504F. Portion 508 includes various controls andinput fields for use in identifying media enrichment presentation itemsfor a selected media object, e.g., the media object corresponding to theimage shown in portion 510 and corresponding to the selected thumbnailimage in portion 502. As is described in more detail below, the editor208 can interact with the image presented in portion 510 and thecontrols and fields in portion 508 to specify information to be storedin the media repository 108 for the media object, and annotating themedia object.

FIG. 6 provides an example of a user interface portion 508 in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. One or morecategories and/or topics associated with the media object can bespecified using area 602. The human editor can select from one or moremenus 604A and/or provide free form input 604B. As shown in the exampleof FIG. 7, in response to text entered by the editor 208, a menu canappear with selectable categories and/or topics.

Referring again to FIG. 6, area 606 can be used by the editor 208 tospecify various items of contextual information. The editor 208 canselect an item and add the item as part of the information about themedia object stored in the media repository 108. Area 606 includes apreview of the contextual information for the item.

Area 608 provides an example of items, for use in identifying othermedia enrichment presentation items, e.g., one or more product offersand/or advertisements, in connection with the media object. In theexample, four items are shown. For each item, an image 610 is provided,together with a control 614 for removing the item and a control 612 tospecify a boundary within the image, e.g., point, bounding box, wholeimage, for the media enrichment presentation item.

FIG. 8 provides an example of a user interface portion 510 for use inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Theexample shows the information about media enrichment presentation itemsselected in connection with the tennis racket and shoes shown in theimage, as well as bounding boxes 802A-802D, each of which corresponds toone of the items being annotated. By way of a non-limiting example, eachmedia enrichment presentation item might be presented to the user as theuser moved the mouse within the bounding box, and/or the bounding boxcan specify the area in which the media enrichment presentation item ispresented to the user. In the example shown in FIG. 8, media enrichmentpresentation items associated with bounding boxes 802A and 802D havebeen selected, and a bounding box 802B is specified around the player'sshirt. Panel 806 allows the editor 208 to select a specific item, e.g.,product offer or advertisement, for annotating the media object. Panel806 allows the editor 208 to perform a search for the product byentering search terms and selecting the search button, and to review theset of search results. The search might be forwarded to one or both ofthe advertisement and product offer sources. In the example, the searchterm input returned a set of items, each of which can be selected by theeditor 208.

FIG. 9 provides another example of user interface portion 510 for use inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Inthe example shown in FIG. 9, panel 902 allows the editor 208 to selectthe item based on brand, object and color.

EXAMPLE ONE

The following provides examples of requests received from a client,e.g., IME client 102, and the IME server 106 responses. In the example,the IME client 102 is code, e.g., JavaScript™, embedded in a web page,and the embedded code is executed at the time the web page is loaded. Asdiscussed herein, the IME client 102 can be embedded in, for example, amedia object image. The IME client 102 sends the request to the IMEserver 106 to retrieve the information associated with the media objectthat is to be presented in connection with the web page. In the example,user information, e.g., one or more cookies containing a user ID and/orother user information, as well as property-specific cookies is sent tothe IME server 106 with the request. The following provides an exampleof a request received from IME client 102.

http://yima.yahoo.com/getImageInformation/?id=abcd-efgh-hijk-lmnop&source=abcdef123&spaceId=abcdef123&ultPageviewId= abcdef123

The user ID is retrieved from the cookie transmitted with the request.The id parameter provides the ID of the media object, e.g., the uniqueidentifier of the media object or image URL. The media object ID is usedto retrieve the media object's information, e.g., from media repository108. The source parameter is a string value that can be used to trackthe origin of the media object, e.g., a Yahoo!™ property such as withoutlimitation OMG!™, Yahoo!™ News, etc., in connection with which the mediaobject is served. Optionally, a representative value, e.g., a value thatis mapped to a given source or property, which can be used instead ofthe actual property name, e.g., IMA YN is representative of Yahoo!™News. The spaceld parameter identifies an advertisement location on theweb page. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the space ID isassigned to the IME experience to present one or more advertisements. Inthe ultPageviewld parameter, ult refers to Universal Link Tracking, andthe parameter specifies an ID associated with the type of userinteraction information that is to be logged.

The IME server 106 responds to the request from the IME client 102. Byway of a non-limiting example, where the media object specified by themedia object ID exists in the media repository 108, the response fromthe IME server 106 comprises data, e.g., JavaScript™ Object Notation(JSON), extensible markup language (XML), hypertext markup language(HTML), etc. data, comprising: image meta data, such as title,description, etc., a list of the one or more persons, events, titles,products from Y! Shopping, etc., topics associated with the mediaobject. By way of a non-limiting example, each product-type mediaenrichment presentation item includes information such as title,description, price, product URL, bounding box, URL of product image,etc. The response can further comprise a list of categories, which canbe used to request one or more advertisements. The following provides anexample of a response by the IME server 106:

{ “uuid” : “abcd-efgh-hijk-lmnop”, “topics” : [“Sports andRecreation/Events/Basketball/NBA”,“Sports andRecreation/Events/Basketball/NBA/Dallas Mavericks”,“”], “title” :“Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki looks for a reboundagainst the Miami ...”, “description” : “Dallas Mavericks power forwardDirk Nowitzki looks for a rebound against the Miami Heat in the secondhalf during Game 6 of the NBA Finals basketball series in Miami, June12, 2011.”, “annotations” : [ {“annotation-type”:“global”,“annotation_entity_type”:“person”, “value”:“Dirk Nowitzki”},{“annotation-type” : “bounding_box”, “left”:11820, “top”:7874,“height”:57637, “width”:53900, “annotation_entity_type”:“product”,“productJSON”: {“product_id”:“885595081”,“product_name”:“AutographedBasketball”, ...other parameters such as price, product_url,product_image_url...} }

Some non-limiting examples of categories that might be supplied by theIME server 108 include:

-   -   Category=“Automotive/Cars and Trucks/New” and Advertisement        Displayed=“Banner advertisement for Dodge™ Charger™”    -   Category=“Technology and Electronics” and Advertisement        Displayed=“Banner advertisement for Sony™ Playstation™”    -   Category=“Travel/Destinations/North America/United States” and        Advertisement Displayed=“Banner advertisement for Southwest        Airlines”    -   Category=“Sports and Recreation/Events/Football” and        Advertisement Displayed=“Banner ad from a TV channel about a        related sports event”

In addition to a request for media object information, the IME client102 can transmit one or more requests for the IME server 106 to loginformation, e.g., in log(s) 108, about user interactions in connectionwith an IME experience. By way of some non-limiting examples, the userinteraction can be one or more of the following, the list is notexhaustive and the possibilities for user interactions may be based onthe IME experience:

Mouse hover on the media object image;

Click on a part of the media object image;

Click on the media object image;

Hover/Click on a popover advertisement;

Hover/Click on an advertisement at the bottom of the image media object;

Hover/Click at the overlay showing an ad on top of the image mediaobject;

By way of some further non-limiting examples, each user interaction canbe logged as a separate POST request, or the IME client 102 can collectthe user interaction information for the user interactions for a givenperiod of time, and send the collected information to the IME server 106in a single POST request to the server.

FIG. 10, which comprises FIGS. 10A-10C, provides examples of informationthat can be sent in connection with a logging request to IME server 106.FIGS. 10A and 10B provide examples of POST requests with informationassociated with a single user interaction. FIG. 10C provides an exampleof a POST containing information about more than one user interaction.

EXAMPLE Two

The following example includes an example using a campaign that definesproperties of an IME experience, or experience. In the example, arequest is initiated from a user's browser by the IME client 102. Asdiscussed above, such a request can contain a space ID, URL, propertycomponent ID, a universal link tracking (ULT) page view ID, media objectID, and user-specific information, which can be a cookie or other fileor information stored on the user's computer. As with the example above,the request include the URL of the server, e.g., IME server 106, andserver-side program. The property component ID comprises informationidentifying a property, e.g., a web site, web-based service, web-basedproduct, etc. The ULT universal tracking page view ID is an identifierthat can be associated with user information that is to be or is beinglogged by the server.

Upon receiving a request, the IME server 106 performs a lookup in themedia repository 108 using the media ID. If the image is registered inthe media repository 108, the response from the media repository 108 canidentify one or more advertising topics, one or more product offers,contextual metadata, such as without limitations points of interest orother entities), brands, etc. If the response from the media repository108 indicates that the media object is registered in the mediarepository 108, a campaign is identified.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a campaign defines theproperties of an in-media enrichment experience, for a particularproperty, such as a web site, web-based product etc., which isidentified by its space ID and property component ID. A campaign can bedefined for each experience on a particular component of a property, forexample, each photo gallery being a component of an image searchproperty. The following are examples of software properties that can bedefined for a campaign:

-   -   campaign ID: int    -   campaign name: string    -   space ID: int    -   {component ID}: int |‘default’    -   {base_url}: string[]    -   start_date: timestamp    -   end_date: timestamp    -   experience ID: int    -   traffic: float|‘default’    -   experience_template: json-object

A campaign identifier, campaign ID, is a unique identifier for acampaign, and a campaign name, campaign_name, provides a name, e.g., auser friendly name, for the campaign, which might be used with thecampaign identifier in reports for ease of identification by someonereviewing the report, for example.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a property is a portalavailable on the web, e.g., Yahoo!™ has various properties includingwithout limitation images.yahoo.com, sports.yahoo.com, omg.yahoo.com.Each property serves web pages, which include one or more positions, orcomponents, which may have an associated media enrichment presentationitem, or items. A component identifier, component ID, is an identifierwhich can be used to identify a particular page, or section or area, ofa property's web page. A property can include media enrichmentpresentation items on multiple locations within the property. Thecomponent ID can be used to differentiate between these locations. Avariable, base url, identifies a base URL, e.g., shopping.yahoo.com, ofthe property where the one or more media enrichment presentation itemsare served.

A campaign can have start and end timestamps, start_date and end datetimestamps, which indicate the time, such as the date and optionallytime of day, which the campaign starts and ends. The campaign can have aunique identifier, such as an experience identifier, experience ID. Inaccordance with one or more embodiments, the experience ID correspondsto the profile identifier, or profile ID.

A float variable indicates the percentage of traffic to allocate to thecampaign, e.g., 0.32 or 32%. An experience template contains a string aJSON object which can be used to configure the IME server(s) to renderthe experience to the user.

By way of a non-limiting example, the following procedure can be used tolook up and select a campaign for a given IME client request:

-   -   1. Values for the space ID, component ID and the current date        are used as criteria to identify active campaigns. The current        date can be determined from timestamp information calculated in        connection with the request received from the IME client 102,        for example. The campaign start and end timestamp can be        obtained from an ad server, for example. If a specific value for        the component ID is not provided as criteria, a default        component ID value can be used. The campaigns that are selected        have space ID and component ID that match the selection        criteria, a start date that is less than or equal to the current        date, and an end date that is greater than or equal to the        current date.    -   2. If more than one campaign is identified, one campaign can be        selected from the set of available campaigns. If the user is a        ‘returning’ user, the campaign that was selected previously for        the user can be selected, where the campaign is still active,        and the user is still in the same session. In so doing, it is        possible to avoid exposing the user to different experiences in        a single session. Of course, it is possible to select a        different experience so that the user can be exposed to        different experiences in a single session. Where there is no        active session and more than one campaign is available, an        active campaign can be selected using the traffic attribute or        property discussed hereinabove.    -   2.1 Each component on a property has a defined default campaign.        By default, all traffic can be send to that campaign.    -   2.2 All additional ‘active’ campaigns, will receive a proportion        of the traffic. The exact amount depends on the value specified        in the traffic attribute. E.g. [0.1].    -   2.3 The sum of all additional campaigns should not exceed ‘1’.    -   3 Once a campaign is selected, the corresponding experience is        fetched, to prepare the response to the browser. The fields of        the response are controlled using the template field.    -   4. Each experience has a unique experience ID, a matching        template, and implementation. Experience ID can be re-used for        different campaigns, across different components, and        properties.

A user session can be defined as the consecutive time period, duringwhich a user is active on a particular property. A session can expireafter one hour of inactivity. Examples of software properties, orvalues, which can be tracked for a user: session ID, user ID, space ID,component ID, campaign ID and a “touched” timestamp. The touchedtimestamp can be used to identify the time that a user interacted withmedia enrichment presentation item, e.g., an advertisement, productoffer, contextual information, etc.

FIGS. 11-19 provide examples of advertisement and product offer mediaenrichment presentation items in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure. The media object and media enrichmentpresentation items shown in these examples can be displayed in a browserwindow of browser 104, for example.

With reference to FIG. 11, product offers and/or advertisements annotatean audio/video media object as the media object plays in a media playerwindow 1102. Each product offer and/or advertisement is represented asan icon 1106, which can be selected by the user to obtain additionalinformation, in media enrichment presentation item area 1104. Icon 1106Dcorresponds to the sunglasses worn in the image frame presented in themedia window 1102. Icons 1106A-1106C were presented to the user in oneor more previous frames of the media object, for example.

FIGS. 12 and 13 provide an example of a product offer annotating a mediaobject 1200, which includes an image and an article. A product offer1202, for a book, e.g., the book entitled “Men Are From Mars, Woman AreFrom Venus,” annotates the media object 1200, and relates to the contextof the media object 1200, which contains text related to myths thatwomen still believe about men. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, the profile associated with the profile ID identified inthe request received by the IME server 106 from the IME client 102includes information to indicate that where the arrow included with themedia enrichment presentation item product offer 1202 is clicked on orotherwise selected by the user, the media enrichment presentation item'sappearance changes from the media enrichment presentation item 1202 tothe appearance of media enrichment presentation item 1302 shown in FIG.13. The user can select the product offer 1302 to obtain additionalinformation, such as information to obtain the book.

FIGS. 14 and 15 provide an example of a product offer annotating a mediaobject 1400, which includes an image and an article. A product offer1404, for a manufacturer's sunscreen, annotates the media object 1400,and relates to the context of the media object 1400, which shows aperson applying sunscreen and includes information regarding new rulesfor sunscreen. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the profileassociated with the profile ID identified in the request received by theIME server 106 from the IME client 102 includes information indicatingthat the media enrichment presentation item 1404 initially appears undera folded-up corner, lower left corner, of the image; and where the mediaenrichment presentation item product offer 1404 is clicked on orotherwise selected by the user, the image 1402 is replaced with an imageof the manufacturer's sunscreen product, with the lower left cornerfolded up to display an image 1504 of an arrow to indicate that the usercan return to the image 1404 by clicking on or otherwise selecting themedia enrichment presentation item 1504. The user can select the productoffer 1502 to obtain additional information, such as information toobtain the manufacturer's sunscreen.

FIG. 16 provides an example of multiple media enrichment presentationitems with a slide show media object 1600. The slideshow media object1600 comprising multiple photographs or images. In the example shown,photograph 1602, a photograph of a race car, which is one of fiftyphotographs, is displayed. Additionally and in accordance with theprofile used, the photograph 1602 is displayed together with anadvertisement media enrichment presentation item 1606 for motor oil, anda product offer 1604 for an automobile similar to that of the race car,e.g., a Dodge Charger. In the example, the advertisement 1602 appearsalong the bottom of the photograph 1602. Additionally, in the example,the photograph 1602 is grayed out, and the product offer 1604, which isnot grayed out, is superimposed over and covering a portion of thephotograph 1602, so that at least a portion of the photograph 1602 isvisible but grayed out. By way of a non-limiting example, the grayingout of the photograph 1602 and appearance of the product offer 1604might be in response to a mouse over or click within the boundary 1608of the media object 1600.

FIG. 17 provides an example of a manufacturer's logo as a mediaenrichment presentation item to a media object 1700, e.g., a slide showmedia object comprising multiple photographs. In the example shown,photograph 1702, a photograph of basketball players is displayed with alogo 1704. The logo 1704 is for a manufacturer of clothing worn by thebasketball players, for example. The logo 1702 is superimposed over aportion of the photograph 1702, such that the portion of the photograph1702 coincident with the logo 1704 is shown and the remainder of thephotograph 1702 is grayed out.

FIGS. 18 and 19 provide an example of multiple advertisement and/orproduct offers associated with media object 1800. The multipleadvertisements and/or product offers can be displayed, in accordancewith the associated profile, relative to media object 1800 in a carouselmedia enrichment presentation item 1806. FIG. 19 provides an example ofthe carousel media enrichment presentation item 1806. In the exampleshown in FIG. 19, the carousel 1806 includes the manufacturer's logo,together with various products of the manufacturer. In the example, thecarousel media enrichment presentation item 1806 includes controls toscroll through products displayed via the carousel media enrichmentpresentation item 1806 and a control to close the media enrichmentpresentation item 1806.

FIG. 20 illustrates some components that can be used in connection withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more computingdevices, e.g., one or more servers, user computing devices or othercomputing device, are configured to comprise functionality describedherein. For example, a computing device 2002 can be configured toexecute program code, instructions, etc. to provide functionality inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Thesame or another computing device 2002 can be configured to providefunctionality provided in connection with IME server 106, mediarepository 108, media queue processing module 202, editorial queue 204and/or editorial enrichment and validation tool 206.

Computing device 2002 can serve content to user computing devices, e.g.,a user computing device executing IME client 102 and browser 104, via anetwork 2006. Data store 2008 can be used to store data or informationprovided by the media repository 108, log(s) 118, profile store 110,product offer source(s) 112, display ad source(s) 114 and/or informationsource(s) 116. Data store 2008 can further be used to store program codeto configure a computing device, such as without limitation IME server106, to execute functionality in accordance with one or more embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The user computing device 2004 can be any computing device, includingwithout limitation a personal computer, personal digital assistant(PDA), wireless device, cell phone, internet appliance, media player,home theater system, and media center, or the like. For the purposes ofthis disclosure a computing device includes a processor and memory forstoring and executing program code, data and software, and may beprovided with an operating system that allows the execution of softwareapplications in order to manipulate data. A computing device such asserver 2002 and the user computing device 2004 can include one or moreprocessors, memory, a removable media reader, network interface, displayand interface, and one or more input devices, e.g., keyboard, keypad,mouse, etc. and input device interface, for example. One skilled in theart will recognize that server 2002 and user computing device 2004 maybe configured in many different ways and implemented using manydifferent combinations of hardware, software, or firmware.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a computing device 2002 canmake a user interface available to a user computing device 2004 via thenetwork 2006. The user interface made available to the user computingdevice 2004 can include content items, or identifiers (e.g., URLs)selected for the user interface in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present invention. In accordance with one or moreembodiments, computing device 2002 makes a user interface available to auser computing device 2004 by communicating a definition of the userinterface to the user computing device 2004 via the network 2006. Theuser interface definition can be specified using any of a number oflanguages, including without limitation a markup language such asHypertext Markup Language, scripts, applets and the like. The userinterface definition can be processed by an application executing on theuser computing device 2004, such as a browser application, to output theuser interface on a display coupled, e.g., a display directly orindirectly connected, to the user computing device 2004.

In an embodiment the network 2006 may be the Internet, an intranet (aprivate version of the Internet), or any other type of network. Anintranet is a computer network allowing data transfer between computingdevices on the network. Such a network may comprise personal computers,mainframes, servers, network-enabled hard drives, and any othercomputing device capable of connecting to other computing devices via anintranet. An intranet uses the same Internet protocol suit as theInternet. Two of the most important elements in the suit are thetransmission control protocol (TCP) and the Internet protocol (IP).

It should be apparent that embodiments of the present disclosure can beimplemented in a client-server environment such as that shown in FIG.20. Alternatively, embodiments of the present disclosure can beimplemented other environments, e.g., a peer-to-peer environment as onenon-limiting example.

FIG. 21 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an internalarchitecture of a computing device, e.g., a computing device such asserver 2002 or user computing device 2004, in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 21,internal architecture 2100 includes one or more processing units,processors, or processing cores, (also referred to herein as CPUs) 2112,which interface with at least one computer bus 2102. Also interfacingwith computer bus 2102 are computer-readable medium, or media, 2106,network interface 2114, memory 2104, e.g., random access memory (RAM),run-time transient memory, read only memory (ROM), etc., media diskdrive interface 2120 as an interface for a drive that can read and/orwrite to media including removable media such as floppy, CD-ROM, DVD,etc. media, display interface 2110 as interface for a monitor or otherdisplay device, keyboard interface 2116 as interface for a keyboard,pointing device interface 2118 as an interface for a mouse or otherpointing device, and miscellaneous other interfaces not shownindividually, such as parallel and serial port interfaces, a universalserial bus (USB) interface, and the like.

Memory 2104 interfaces with computer bus 2102 so as to provideinformation stored in memory 2104 to CPU 2112 during execution ofsoftware programs such as an operating system, application programs,device drivers, and software modules that comprise program code, and/orcomputer-executable process steps, incorporating functionality describedherein, e.g., one or more of process flows described herein. CPU 2112first loads computer-executable process steps from storage, e.g., memory2104, computer-readable storage medium/media 2106, removable mediadrive, and/or other storage device. CPU 2112 can then execute the storedprocess steps in order to execute the loaded computer-executable processsteps. Stored data, e.g., data stored by a storage device, can beaccessed by CPU 2112 during the execution of computer-executable processsteps.

Persistent storage, e.g., medium/media 2106, can be used to store anoperating system and one or more application programs. Persistentstorage can also be used to store device drivers, such as one or more ofa digital camera driver, monitor driver, printer driver, scanner driver,or other device drivers, web pages, content files, playlists and otherfiles. Persistent storage can further include program modules and datafiles used to implement one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure, e.g., listing selection module(s), targeting informationcollection module(s), and listing notification module(s), thefunctionality and use of which in the implementation of the presentdisclosure are discussed in detail herein.

For the purposes of this disclosure a computer readable medium storescomputer data, which data can include computer program code that isexecutable by a computer, in machine readable form. By way of example,and not limitation, a computer readable medium may comprise computerreadable storage media, for tangible or fixed storage of data, orcommunication media for transient interpretation of code-containingsignals. Computer readable storage media, as used herein, refers tophysical or tangible storage (as opposed to signals) and includeswithout limitation volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for thetangible storage of information such as computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data. Computer readablestorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, orother optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other physical ormaterial medium which can be used to tangibly store the desiredinformation or data or instructions and which can be accessed by acomputer or processor.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems ofthe present disclosure may be implemented in many manners and as suchare not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments andexamples. In other words, functional elements being performed by singleor multiple components, in various combinations of hardware and softwareor firmware, and individual functions, may be distributed among softwareapplications at either the client or server or both. In this regard, anynumber of the features of the different embodiments described herein maybe combined into single or multiple embodiments, and alternateembodiments having fewer than, or more than, all of the featuresdescribed herein are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or inpart, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or tobecome known. Thus, myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations arepossible in achieving the functions, features, interfaces andpreferences described herein. Moreover, the scope of the presentdisclosure covers conventionally known manners for carrying out thedescribed features and functions and interfaces, as well as thosevariations and modifications that may be made to the hardware orsoftware or firmware components described herein as would be understoodby those skilled in the art now and hereafter.

While the system and method have been described in terms of one or moreembodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not belimited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similarstructures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments ofthe following claims.

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A method comprising: receiving, at a servercomputing device and from a client application of a client computingdevice via an electronic communications network, a media objectenrichment request in connection with a media object's presentation bythe client application at the client computing device, the requestcomprising a profile identifier identifying a media enrichment profile;retrieving, via the server computing device and from the mediaenrichment profile corresponding to the profile identifier, informationfor use in identifying a type of media enrichment presentation item tobe presented in connection with the media object's presentation, anumber of media enrichment presentation items of the identified type anda manner of presentation for each media enrichment presentation item ofthe identified type of media enrichment presentation item; obtaining,via the server computing device, information about a user of the clientcomputing device; identifying, via the server computing device, eachmedia enrichment presentation item of the number of media enrichmentpresentation items of the media enrichment presentation type using theobtained information about the user of the client computing device andthe information retrieved from the media enrichment profile; accessing,via the server computing device, a number of media enrichmentpresentation item sources and identifying a reference for eachidentified media enrichment presentation item of the number of mediaenrichment presentation items indicated by the media enrichment profile;and transmitting, by the at least one server computing device and to theclient computing device over the electronic communications network, aresponse to the request, the response including a reference to eachidentified media enrichment presentation item, each reference to anidentified media enrichment presentation item comprising information foruse in retrieving the identified media enrichment presentation item forpresentation in connection with the media object's presentation.
 35. Themethod of claim 34, the information about the user of the clientcomputing device comprising a geographic location of the clientcomputing device received with the media object enrichment request, theclient computing device's geographic location being used as the user'sgeographic location in identifying the each media enrichmentpresentation item of the number of media enrichment presentation items.36. The method of claim 34, the information about the user of the clientcomputing device used in identifying the each media enrichmentpresentation item of the number of media enrichment presentation itemscomprising demographic information of the user.
 37. The method of claim34 the information about the user of the client computing device used inidentifying the each media enrichment presentation item of the number ofmedia enrichment presentation items comprising at least one of webbrowsing history and purchasing history of the user.
 38. The method ofclaim 34, the information about the user of the client computing deviceused in identifying the each media enrichment presentation item of thenumber of media enrichment presentation items comprising social networkinformation identifying at least one social networking relationship ofthe user with another user of the social network.
 39. The method ofclaim 34, further comprising: transmitting, by the server computingdevice and to the client computing device over the electroniccommunications network, the media object and embedded code comprisingthe profile identifier prior to receiving the media object enrichmentrequest.
 40. The method of claim 39, the embedded code is embedded inone of a web page including the media object and the media object. 41.The method of claim 39, further comprising: retrieving, via the servercomputing device, the media object's information using the media objectidentifier identifying the media object, the media object identifierbeing included in the embedded code and being received with the mediaobject enrichment request; using, via the server computing device, themedia object identifier to identify a topic associated with the mediaobject; and the identifying further using the identified topicassociated with the media object to identify at least one of mediapresentation item of the number of media enrichment presentation items.42. The method of claim 34, the number of media enrichment presentationitems comprising at least one of an advertisement, a product offer and acontext-based content item.
 43. The method of claim 42, accessing anumber of media enrichment presentation item sources further comprising:accessing, via the server computing device, an advertisement sourcewhere the number of media enrichment presentation items comprises theadvertisement for presentation in connection with the media object'spresentation; accessing, via the server computing device, a productoffer source where the number of media enrichment presentation itemscomprises the product offer for presentation in connection with themedia object's presentation; and accessing, via the at least oneprocessing unit, a contextual information source where the number ofmedia enrichment presentation items comprises the context-based contentitem for presentation in connection with the media object'spresentation.
 44. A computing device comprising: a processor; anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium for tangibly storingthereon program logic executed by the processor, the program logiccomprising: receiving logic executed by the processor for receiving,from a client application of a client computing device via an electroniccommunications network, a media object enrichment request in connectionwith a media object's presentation by the client application at theclient computing device, the request comprising a profile identifieridentifying a media enrichment profile; retrieving logic executed by theprocessor for retrieving, from the media enrichment profilecorresponding to the profile identifier, information for use inidentifying a type of media enrichment presentation item to be presentedin connection with the media object's presentation, a number of mediaenrichment presentation items of the identified type and a manner ofpresentation for each media enrichment presentation item of theidentified type of media enrichment presentation item; obtaining logicexecuted by the processor for obtaining information about a user of theclient computing device; identifying logic executed by the processor foridentifying each media enrichment presentation item of the number ofmedia enrichment presentation items of the media enrichment presentationtype using the obtained information about the user of the clientcomputing device and the information retrieved from the media enrichmentprofile; accessing logic executed by the processor for accessing anumber of media enrichment presentation item sources and identifying areference for each identified media enrichment presentation item of thenumber of media enrichment presentation items indicated by the mediaenrichment profile; and transmitting logic executed by the processor fortransmitting, to the client computing device over the electroniccommunications network, a response to the request, the responseincluding a reference to each identified media enrichment presentationitem, each reference to an identified media enrichment presentation itemcomprising information for use in retrieving the identified mediaenrichment presentation item for presentation in connection with themedia object's presentation.
 45. The computing device of claim 44, theinformation about the user of the client computing device comprising ageographic location of the client computing device received with themedia object enrichment request, the client computing device'sgeographic location being used as the user's geographic location inidentifying the each media enrichment presentation item of the number ofmedia enrichment presentation items.
 46. The computing device of claim44, the information about the user of the client computing device usedin identifying the each media enrichment presentation item of the numberof media enrichment presentation items comprising demographicinformation of the user.
 47. The computing device of claim 44 theinformation about the user of the client computing device used inidentifying the each media enrichment presentation item of the number ofmedia enrichment presentation items comprising at least one of webbrowsing history and purchasing history of the user.
 48. The computingdevice of claim 44, the information about the user of the clientcomputing device used in identifying the each media enrichmentpresentation item of the number of media enrichment presentation itemscomprising social network information identifying at least one socialnetworking relationship of the user with another user of the socialnetwork.
 49. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium fortangibly storing thereon computer-executable instructions, that whenexecuted by a processor of a computing device, performs a methodcomprising: receiving, from a client application of a client computingdevice via an electronic communications network, a media objectenrichment request in connection with a media object's presentation bythe client application at the client computing device, the requestcomprising a profile identifier identifying a media enrichment profile;retrieving, from the media enrichment profile corresponding to theprofile identifier, information for use in identifying a type of mediaenrichment presentation item to be presented in connection with themedia object's presentation, a number of media enrichment presentationitems of the identified type and a manner of presentation for each mediaenrichment presentation item of the identified type of media enrichmentpresentation item; obtaining information about a user of the clientcomputing device; identifying each media enrichment presentation item ofthe number of media enrichment presentation items of the mediaenrichment presentation type using the obtained information about theuser of the client computing device and the information retrieved fromthe media enrichment profile; accessing a number of media enrichmentpresentation item sources and identifying a reference for eachidentified media enrichment presentation item of the number of mediaenrichment presentation items indicated by the media enrichment profile;and transmitting, to the client computing device over the electroniccommunications network, a response to the request, the responseincluding a reference to each identified media enrichment presentationitem, each reference to an identified media enrichment presentation itemcomprising information for use in retrieving the identified mediaenrichment presentation item for presentation in connection with themedia object's presentation.
 50. The computer-readable non-transitorystorage medium of claim 49, the information about the user of the clientcomputing device comprising a geographic location of the clientcomputing device received with the media object enrichment request, theclient computing device's geographic location being used as the user'sgeographic location in identifying the each media enrichmentpresentation item of the number of media enrichment presentation items.51. The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 49, theinformation about the user of the client computing device used inidentifying the each media enrichment presentation item of the number ofmedia enrichment presentation items comprising demographic informationof the user.
 52. The computer-readable non-transitory storage medium ofclaim 49, the information about the user of the client computing deviceused in identifying the each media enrichment presentation item of thenumber of media enrichment presentation items comprising at least one ofweb browsing history and purchasing history of the user.
 53. Thecomputer-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 49, theinformation about the user of the client computing device used inidentifying the each media enrichment presentation item of the number ofmedia enrichment presentation items comprising social networkinformation identifying at least one social networking relationship ofthe user with another user of the social network.